Lumbar Facet Joint Injections

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Original Editors - Georg Baker, Michelle Harvey, Tommy Pearson, Joe Wakefield

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Introduction

LBP affects roughly 80% of the UK population and is the 2nd most common cause of long term-sickness from work (1). A study released in 1999 revealed that the economic burden LBP produces onto the UK economy is £10,668 million, making it the most financially costly condition in the UK (2). This figure is likely to have risen in recent years due to a larger number of LBP cases becoming chronic (3).

Spinal injections are one of the many varieties of treatments considered when an individual presents with chronic LBP. As well as a treatment method some spinal injections are also used as a diagnostic tool. An example of one such injection is facet joint injections; which in 2010-2011 made up 36% of all spinal injections (fig. 1.1) (4).

fig 1.1

The effectiveness of facet joint injections is largely unknown but despite this the procedure is still commonly performed by clinicians (5). The Physiotherapy proffession are required to remain up to date with all available procedures each patient has aailable to them in treating their condition. Consequently, background knowledge regarding this treatment should be known by every clinician who regularly see’s LBP patients. Therefore this physiopedia page aims to use current literature to shine a light on the main areas surrounding this popular intervention, including:

1. The different procedures used for a facet joint injection
2. The risks facet joint injections cause
3. The variety of conditions that lead to facet joint injections being used

The effectiveness of facet joint injections coupled with some suggestions for future research/physiopedia pages will be included in the conclusion.

References

1 – Walker. B, 2000, The prevalence of low back pain: a systematic review, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, Journal of spinal disorders, Volume 13, Edition 3, Pages 205-217.

2 – Maniadakis. N, Gray. A, 1999, The economic burden of back pain in the UK Global Health Outcomes, Searle Division of Monsanto, P.O. Box 53, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 4HL, UK, Journal of Pain, Volume 84, Edition 1, Pages 95-103.

3 – Freburger. J, Holmes. G, Agans. R, Jackman. A, Darter. J, Wallace. A, Castel. L, Kalsbeek. W, Carey. T, 2009, The rising prevalence of chronic low back pain, The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC, Archives of internal medicine, Volume 169, Edition 3, Pages 251-258

4 – Hospital Episode Statistics, 2011, Main Procedures and interventions: 4 Character, QUERY: How do you reference this????

5 – Eckel. T, 2004, Facet Joint Injections, Department of radiology, Lewis-Gale medical centre, 1900 Electric road, Salem, Virginia, USA, Journal of spinal pain, Volume 21, Edition 1, Pages 123-129